Thursday, March 22, 2018

Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, N6785P: Fatal accident occurred December 13, 2018 at Porter County Regional Airport (KVPZ), Valparaiso, Indiana and accident occurred March 21, 2018 at Starke County Airport (KOXI), Knox, Indiana

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Plaines, Illinois 
Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach, Florida
Textron Lycoming; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


https://registry.faa.gov/N6785P 


Location: Valparaiso, IN
Accident Number: CEN19FA044
Date & Time: 12/13/2018, 1044 CST
Registration: N6785P
Aircraft: Piper PA24
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 13, 2018 at 1044 central standard time, a Piper PA24-250, N6785P, impacted the ground during a loss of control on initial climb after takeoff. The airplane was departing on runway 9 at the Porter County Regional Airport (VPZ), Valparaiso, Indiana. The pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident for an unknown destination.

Witnesses reported seeing the accident airplane taking off from runway 9 at VPZ and when the airplane was a few hundred feet above the runway the right wing dropped, and the airplane entered a spin to the right and impacted the ground.

A surveillance video from a camera mounted on a building near the accident captured the final portion of the accident sequence. The airplane can be seen entering the frame of the video and then the right-wing drops, and the airplane enters a spin to the right. The airplane completed one revolution in the spin before impacting the ground in a near vertical attitude.

The airplane impacted the ground about 3,700 ft. east of the approach end of runway 9 and 250 ft. south of the runway centerline. The airplane was facing east and had crushing of the forward fuselage and the leading edges of both wings. There was wrinkling of the fuselage skins aft of the cabin. The wings and tail surfaces remained attached to the fuselage and all control surfaces remained attached. Examination of the airplane after its removal from the site revealed that all control system cables were intact from the cockpit controls to their respective control surfaces.

Examination of the engine confirmed compression and suction on the forward 4 cylinders. The aft 2 cylinders did not initially produce compression due to damage to the rocker arm pushrods. Removal of the rocker arms, allowing the valves to close, resulted in compression and suction on the aft 2 cylinders. Crankshaft, valve train, and accessory gear continuity were confirmed during rotation of the engine. Both magnetos were broken loose from the engine accessory case and one magneto produced spark on all leads when rotated. The second magneto did not produce spark but had impact damage. Disassembly of the magneto confirmed that the impact damage had fractured the ignition points pivot block. The carburetor was fractured, and the bowl was broken open and disassembly did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The mechanical fuel pump was fractured and could not be tested but disassembly did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.

The airplane had 4 fuel tanks. Each wing had a rubber bladder type main fuel tank within the wing structure, and a tip mounted tank. All 4 fuel tanks were ruptured, and no fuel remained in any tank. It was raining during the initial on-scene examination and no fuel odor was detected. The fuel selector valve was found positioned to the right fuel tank and the handle was in the detent for that position. The 2 electric fuel pumps were removed from the airframe and both electric fuel pumps pumped a liquid when electrical power was supplied to them. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information


Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N6785P
Model/Series: PA24 250
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan


Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: VPZ, 770 ft msl
Observation Time: 1656 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 4°C / -2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / 15 knots, 140°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  9 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Valparaiso, IN (VPZ)
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 41.451667, -87.004444

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. 




VALPARAISO — Scott Gebert had just stepped outside of his physical therapist's office Thursday morning to take a break when he heard an airplane.

"The engine sounded rough. I heard a backfire. I thought maybe they were stall training, but the plane was very low," Gebert said Friday.

While he isn't certain the airplane he saw was the airplane which crashed at the Porter County Regional Airport Thursday morning killing Azam J. Zayed, 40, of Oak Lawn, Illinois, Gebert said it looked like the airplane in photographs and the timing was about right. Gebert said he heard the airplane about 10:30 a.m. and the time of the crash was reported at 10:46 a.m.

Gebert, of Valparaiso, said he's a bit of a "gear head" who enjoys watching airplanes and knew the airplane he spotted just didn't sound right. He said he also saw a flash from the exhaust and heard the engine cut out. The last time he saw the airplane, Gebert said it was banking as if it was returning to the airport.

Gebert has reported what he saw Thursday to the National Safety Transportation Board and is awaiting to be interviewed by the investigator.

Terry Williams, a spokesman for the NTSB, said an investigator will be on scene through Saturday, interviewing witnesses, gathering data and examining the airplane and crash site. Williams said the airplane has been moved to a secure location for the investigation.

It could be up to 18 months before a report on the final cause is released, said Williams. In a week to 10 days the NTSB will post preliminary information on its web site.

"The plane is kept as long as it is needed for the investigation. Sometimes, pieces are sent back to the manufacturer for testing, including the engine or critical components of different on-board navigation systems," said Elizabeth Cory, spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration.

"The process focuses on determining what happened and why, with the goal of preventing such an accident from happening again," Cory said.

According to FAA records, the Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, a fixed-wing single-engine airplane, was manufactured in 1960. Its most recent certification was issued on Jan. 12, 2018.

Cory said investigators will look at a variety of issues, including the pilot’s training, medical history, autopsy. They’ll also talk to associates of the pilot, the doctor who issued the pilot’s medical certificate, family, the plane’s mechanic, people who knew the pilot and his or her flying history, and reconstruct the activities that led to the accident. They look at the maintenance records of the aircraft. They pull air traffic records, including radar.

Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said an autopsy was conducted on Zayed Friday morning. Toxicology reports will be completed in about two weeks. Zayed suffered multiple blunt force injuries, said Harris, adding the cause and manner of death are still pending further investigation.

Kyle Kubler, airport director, said he had no information as to why Zayed was at the airport, how long he was there, where he was coming from or where he was going. That information gathering is up to the NTSB and FAA, said Kubler.

"We're really only involved in getting the response started and getting the airport back into safe order," said Kubler.


Original article ➤ https://www.nwitimes.com

http://aircraftmerchants.com


1960 Piper PA-24-250 Comanche 250 
N-Number: N6785P 
S/N: 24-1916
Rock solid performer, this Comanche 250 trims easy and true. Great flying aircraft with super comfortable interior for long legs - 90 gallons with Tip Tanks. Enjoy a full IFR Panel with Garmin 300XL. This is a great flying aircraft!
Airframe: 6,027 Hours 
Engine: 481 Hours SMOH 
PROP: 1,784 HOURS SPOH
New fuel bladders April 2017 
 Engine: O/H by Western Skyways 12/2007 
Lycoming 0-540-A1B5 
s/n L-2947-40 
2000 hr TBO  
Propeller 
Hartzell HC-AZXK-1 
s/n J326  
1990 Form 337 - repairs to fuselage and left wing. 
















VALPARAISO — The identity of the man who died in a plane crash Thursday morning at the Porter County Regional Airport has been identified by police.

Azam J. Zayed, 40, of Oak Lawn, Ill., was the sole occupant of the plane, according to the Porter County Sheriff's Office. 

"Complications" after takeoff may have led to the crash.

"According to witness statements shortly after the plane took off there were complications and the pilot was unable to regain control of the aircraft," Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said in a written statement Thursday afternoon.

At 10:46 a.m. the Porter County Sheriff's Office, Washington Township Fire Department and Porter Regional EMS were called to the crash, according to police.  

Members of a Federal Aviation Administration investigation team arrived at the Porter County Regional Airport about 1:30 p.m. Thursday to investigate the single-plane crash which claimed one life earlier in the day.

Porter County Sheriff's department spokeswoman Sgt. Jamie Erow said the FAA was expected to be on the scene for two to three hours to conduct the investigation, but would not release any information.

FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory confirmed a single-engine Piper Comanche departing the airport Thursday morning crashed under unknown circumstances and the FAA will be investigating.

Cory said the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and will be in charge of the investigation. Any updates will be through the NTSB and the investigation could take 12 to 14 months to complete.

The plane crashed at 10:46 a.m. at the airport, which is north of U.S. 30 and east of Ind. 49 near Valparaiso.

The plane landed nose first in a swale between two runways.

A flight restriction is in place for the area until midnight Thursday, Erow said. 

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Township Fire Department and Morgan Township Fire Department responded to the scene.


Original article ➤ https://www.nwitimes.com





Witnesses to a fatal plane crash Thursday morning at Porter County Regional Airport said there were “complications” shortly before the plane crashed, according to a release from Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris.

“The pilot was unable to regain control of the aircraft,” Harris said in the release. His office was dispatched to the crash scene at 1:20 p.m.

Authorities identified the victim and sole occupant of the plane as Azam J. Zayed of Oak Lawn, Illinois, and said Zayed owned the plane as well. Next of kin was notified through the Oak Lawn Police Department, according to Sgt. Jamie Erow, public information officer with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department.

The crash occurred at 10:46 a.m. Thursday at the airport, east of Indiana 49 and north of U.S. 30 in Valparaiso, Erow said, adding investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration arrived at the scene around 1:30 p.m. and were there for a few hours.

The Piper PA-24-250 Comanche was departing the airport and crashed under unknown circumstances, said Elizabeth Isham Cory, a spokeswoman with the FAA’s Great Lakes regional office in Des Plaines, Ill.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and will be in charge of the investigation, Isham Cory said, adding that agency will release any further information about the plane crash.

A flight restriction remained in place by the FAA for the area until midnight Thursday, Erow said.

Also assisting at the scene after the crash were the Washington and Morgan Township fire departments.

Original article ➤ https://www.chicagotribune.com


Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; DuPage, Illinois 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Analysis 

The flight instructor reported that, during landing, while the student pilot was flying, the airplane ballooned. He added that he took the flight controls and landed on the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The flight instructor's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Hard landing (Defining event)
Abnormal runway contact

Location: Knox, IN
Accident Number: GAA18CA195
Date & Time: 03/21/2018, 1655 CDT
Registration: N6785P
Aircraft: PIPER PA24
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

The flight instructor reported that, during landing, while the student pilot was flying, the airplane ballooned. He added that he took the flight controls and landed on the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 40, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/11/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 35.1 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7.3 hours (Total, this make and model), 14.5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.9 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 54, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/02/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/01/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2024 hours (Total, all aircraft), 15 hours (Total, this make and model), 1896.4 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 200 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 75 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N6785P
Model/Series: PA24 250
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1960
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 24-1916
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6049.1 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-540-A
Registered Owner: AZAM ZAYED
Rated Power: 250 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPPO, 811 ft msl
Observation Time: 2155 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 348°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C / -8°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 16 knots/ 20 knots, 330°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: GRIFFITH, IN (05C)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Knox, IN (OXI)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1430 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: STARKE COUNTY (OXI)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 684 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4401 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  41.325556, -86.662222 (est)

6 comments:

  1. Private license in September.

    RIP

    ReplyDelete
  2. Based off the damage to the aircraft in the pics, he stalled and spun it in.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 2 for 2 is not a good way to start off or end a flying career.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Some are just not cut out for it.

    RIP

    ReplyDelete
  5. Do PA24s have the same bar across the top of the pedals that is present in PA28s? I've seen a few toes get stuck under them over the years. Given, not a huge problem unless it happens as you're landing, but who knows...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes it does Davey. I think it would take a real dufus to get toes caught behind the bar but I guess it could happen. What pray tell does it have to do with this accident? Guessing again?

    ReplyDelete